Dear Diary,

Don’t let a tight budget cancel your family travel plans this summer. You can cut costs without eliminating the fun. Remember, kids don’t know the difference between a three or four star hotel or restaurant. And often times, they have the time of their lives doing low- to no-cost activities, like swimming in a pool or building sandcastles at the beach. Here are six tips for your family to have frugal fun.

1. Cash in Gas Points: Many grocery stores offer shopping rewards, such as discounted gas prices. Rack up points and cash them in to fill up your gas tank before your take your trip.

2. Find Kids Eat Free Establishments: Many restaurants offer free food to children accompanied by paying adults, such as Denny’s, Max & Erma’s and Steak ‘n Shake. Check the restaurants website to find out if there are stipulations, like the day of the week or age of the child.

Want more cost cutting tips? Click here to find out how you can save big bucks.

About The Author

Vlog Mom/DFTM Creator

Not long ago, Heather Hopson hosted a television show in the Cayman Islands. Today, she's back home writing a different kind of story as a new mom. In her 15 years working as a professional journalist, this by far is her best assignment! Growing up, she dreamed of becoming Oprah Winfrey. She was the features editor for her school’s newspaper and a teen talk show host for her city’s most popular radio station. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. After graduation, she worked as a television producer and reporter at CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates throughout the U.S. Instead of heading to Chicago to join Ms. Winfrey on her set, she bought a plane ticket to the Cayman Islands instead. She arrived five days before a category five hurricane! She lived in paradise for seven years, hosted an award-winning television show and traveled the globe with a government delegation. She also served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and spearheaded a Send a Kid to Camp campaign. Then, she relocated to Washington, D.C. to obtain a teaching certification and instruct 8th grade reading at a high needs middle school. She later returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA to raise her daughter Caitlynn, now 4-years-old. During her 10-month-stint as a stay-at-home mom, Caitlynn inspired her to create this blog, and Diary of a First Time Mom was born on Mother’s Day 2012. Two years later, she expanded the family to include 20+ writers. Currently, Heather serves as the communications director at Allies for Children. In addition, she is the owner of Motor Mouth Multimedia, which ranked #49 in Startup Nation’s Home-Based 100 Competition sponsored by Discover Card and Sam’s Club. Recently, The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments selected Heather to receive an Emerging Black Artist award to develop Diary of a First Time Mom.

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